Graham Arnold emerges as unexpected saviour in Iraqs landmark achievement

Iraq, hindered by the ongoing Middle East conflict during their buildup, clinched their first World Cup finals berth in four decades and join Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.

Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein scored the key goals in a memorable triumph for Iraq, whose prior World Cup outing was in Mexico during 1986.

With everything happening in the Middle East right now, it was tougher for the players, remarked the Australian Arnold, who originally requested a postponement of the match owing to the issues stemming from the strife.

Thrilled for the players, they are great lads, and overjoyed for the 46 million people of Iraq, he continued.

We hope this shifts views on Iraq and its football scene. Achieving the unexpected at the World Cup.

Let us surprise everyone.

Due to travel issues from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, the bulk of Iraqs team arrived in Mexico only after a taxing three day trip from Baghdad, starting with a land route into Jordan.

Yet Iraq showed no fatigue in their assured opening, surging ahead in the ninth minute via Luton Town forward Al-Hamadi, the 24 year old who relocated to Liverpool as a young child amid the 2003 Iraq war.

Iraqs Amir Al-Ammari earned a corner with an excellent free kick that Bolivias Guillermo Viscarra tipped away at full extension.

From that corner, Al-Ammari delivered a precise ball for Al-Hamadi to head in the opener.

Iraq deserved their quick lead and dominated until Bolivia, building momentum, levelled in the 38th minute.

Ramiro Vaca shot from distance, Moises Paniagua controlled it neatly, and the midfielder based in Morocco rifled it into the top corner.

The strike shook Iraq, and Bolivia threatened more as they controlled the halves end.

Iraq restored their advantage eight minutes into the second half, with a long pass headed towards substitute Marko Lawk-Farji.

His delivery reached captain Hussein, who neatly placed a first time effort into the far corner.

Bolivia pushed hard for a leveller to extend the game, but Iraqs solid backline stood strong through nine added minutes.

The 62 year old Arnold, who guided Australia to the Qatar World Cups round of 16 in 2022, noted: We have two months to prepare properly.

Any success at this tournament for us would be miraculous.

Bolivias coach Oscar Villegas appeared heartbroken.

Utterly crushed, since we truly thought we could qualify for the World Cup, he expressed.